More Barkley

The midfielder feels that it is a pretty exciting time to be at the club.

This is the most exciting time since I came to the club. There is no room for complacency, everyone is on it. But there is an enjoyment about our work too. Like a proper team.”

Some really good stuff in here.

16:35Paul Gorst

Barkley speaks

Ross Barkley has sat down for an lengthy chat with former Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp.

There’s some really interesting stuff in there, and it’s great to read what Barkley thinks on a range of topics.

Everton's Ross Barkley prepares to take a corner.

The Blues midfielder discusses a range of topics with Redknapp, who is acting on behalf of the Daily Mail, and Barkley believes that players are too easily criticised in England as opposed to elsewhere in Europe.

He says:

Look at John Stones, Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Dele Alli. Put them in the Barcelona side and they would look unbelievable. Technically, they are outstanding. Quality. As an Englishman, we should believe in that.

“John (Stones) is so good, as good a ball-playing centre half as you could wish to see. He will go to another level too. Gerard Pique, when he was at Man United, people talked about what he couldn’t do. So he goes to Barcelona, wins a load of trophies. You don’t hear them (at Barcelona) complaining about what Iniesta can’t do.”

He might have a point in fairness.

16:25Paul Gorst

Some interesting tactical analysis here on Sky.

Former Stoke defender Danny Higginbotham feels that Tom Davies is starting to bring the best out of Ross Barkley, and he’s also raved about Idrissa Gueye’s contribution too.

He says:

I think it’s safe to say that he has been one of the signings of the season with the way he goes about things.

“With his energy and his endeavour he provides more protection to the team defensively because he’s willing to get back into shape quickly too.”

The full run through is below.

15:25Paul Gorst

Rooney/Barca talk

Fair to say Koeman got a bit annoyed by the incessant Wayne Rooney and Barcelona line of questioning in today’s press conference.

Here’s what unfolded.

15:17Paul Gorst

Rooney's Dunn for

Andy Dunn of the Mirror has been giving his take on what the future holds for Wayne Rooney.

And he believes that the Blues should steer well clear of a move for the Manchester United striker this summer.

Wayne Rooney

Andy writes:

On a purely footballing level, the idea of Everton signing Rooney is fundamentally flawed.

On form over an extended period of time - Rooney has six goals in his last 40 United appearances - he could be no more than a squad player at Goodison Park, and he does not like being a squad player at Old Trafford.”

Koeman speaks

'We won't defend like Stoke'

This is just as well, given Stoke lost 4-0 to Tottenham Hotspur last week.

The Blues will hopefully have picked up a few tips on what not to do...

14:44Ian Doyle

Koeman on Barcelona

He wasn’t very forthcoming.

He wasn’t very forthcoming at all.

14:07KEY EVENT

Koeman recap

Let’s take a look at the main points from that press conference...

The squad is fully fit - save Yannick Bolasie

Mo Besic will play for the under-23s to build up his sharpness

Sunday’s game at Tottenham is NOT an acid test, although both teams have improved

No update on Romelu Lukaku’s contract

Koeman wants Tony Bellew to beat David Haye tomorrow night

He understands the links with the soon-to-be-vacant Barcelona job, but doesn’t want to talk about it

Or Wayne Rooney

Or Pochettino

13:15KEY EVENT

Koeman is finished

That’s it from the manager.

He clearly didn’t fancy those Rooney/Barcelona questions, did he!

13:14Neil Jones

Injury update

Everybody is fit. Besic is doing well, he did 11v11 for the first time today. He needs more time, U23 game time, before he can start. But I am happy that he and Dominic is back.

Yannick is the only one we have to wait for.

13:14Neil Jones

Koeman on Spurs

I was Southampton manager after Pochettino. I think he is doing a good job at Tottenham, but I don’t like the questions about how he is doing or what he will do.

They are one of the favourites for titles. Still in FA Cup, second in league, really strong. They are as strong as the rest of the big teams.

13:12Neil Jones

Koeman on Pochettino

I think he is managing a big club. He’s happy, I will ask him Sunday if he likes to move to Barcelona.

13:12Neil Jones

Koeman/Rooney

Bizarre question as Koeman is asked if he would start Rooney on Sunday if he had him

He’s not happy.

Next question asks about Barcelona. And gets a similar response.

13:11Neil Jones

Midfield battle

It will be a battle, and the key is to win that midfield battle.

13:11Neil Jones

Comparisons between Everton and Spurs

They try to do high pressing, and we like to.

They have individual players who are very good between the lines like Eriksen and Alli, offensive full backs. We have that too.

We will try to bring young players in the team like they do

13:10Neil Jones

Koeman denies Spurs game is an acid test

Every game is a test, and the test this Sunday is not more than it was on the first day of the season.

We got a point then, and Everton is stronger now than it was then. But also Tottenham is stronger.

It’s not an (acid) test. I don’t agree.

13:09Neil Jones

Koeman on Lukaku

No update on Lukaku contract situation, says Koeman

13:08Neil Jones

Koeman wants Bellew win

Boss says he wants Bellew to beat Haye

Says Everton will watch the fight before the game.

I was a boxing fan. In the past I would wake up in 5 in the morning to watch Cassius Clay, Joe Frazier. We will see the fight and let’s hope Tony will win.

13:07Neil Jones

Koeman on Rooney

I don’t speak any more about Rooney. I have had several questions about him, he’s a United player. We will see what happens in the future.

13:07Neil Jones

Koeman on Gareth Barry

He’s an example for young players, even if he is not starting. He does his sessions in the best way he can, he’s not frustrated, maybe yes a little bit disappointed, but he’s that type of player.

With his experience, he is really a coach on the pitch. He’s not the youngest in the team, but still on a really good fitness and always in my mind to start each weekend.

13:05Neil Jones

Koeman on Barcelona link

He’s asked if he understands the link

Of course. Every word from my side about Barcelona is too much.

I don’t speak about Barcelona.

13:05Neil Jones

Koeman on Everton

We are on a good way to move forwards and to change things, and to make difficult decisions.

13:05Neil Jones

Koeman on Tottenham's attack

Koeman is asked about Stoke boss Mark Hughes’ comments about Spurs’ attack being the best

It’s an easy answer if you lose 4-0. But I saw the game, and we will defend different than they did.

Stoke had two really big chances in the first half to score a goal, but you need to stop the strengths of Tottenham. You need to stop Eriksen, Alli, other midfield players. Maybe they play with three at the back, four, a lot of questions.

But they will have questions about Everton also.

13:03Neil Jones

Koeman on Spurs

“Maybe yes, I don’t know. But this weekend is no more of a test than last week, or in two weeks. Every weekend, it is important to be at your best level.

“We know that Tottenham is one of the best teams, really strong at home, we know. But OK, it’s a challenge to play against a strong team, be yourself and get a good result.

13:02KEY EVENT

Koeman arrives for press conference

Here he is.....

Updates to follow.

Ronald Koeman

12:50Ian Doyle

Koeman in 10

The media are assembling at Finch Farm.

We’ll have everything Ronald Koeman has to say shortly.

12:44Ian Doyle

Yeah

12:27Ian Doyle

Bellew on Rooney

Proper Blues

No, not the latest scrap for the Blues-supporting pugilist.

Instead, Tony Bellew has taken a break from baiting David Haye to discuss the possible return of Wayne Rooney.

I would love him to come back to Everton, why wouldn’t we want a world-class footballer at Everton Football Club?